Cutting device, and post-processing device

ABSTRACT

Provided is a cutting device including a transport path, a cutting section that cuts an extra part of a recording medium transported on the transport path, at least two accommodating sections that accommodate the extra part, and a switching unit that switches a discharge destination of the extra part to a first accommodation section of the at least two accommodating sections and a second accommodation section of the at least two accommodating sections.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-138118 filed Jul. 1, 2013.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cutting device, and a post-processing device.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a cutting device including:

a transport path;

a cutting section that cuts an extra part of a recording medium transported on the transport path;

at least two accommodating sections that accommodate the extra part; and

a switching unit that switches a discharge destination of the extra part to a first accommodation section of the at least two accommodating sections and a second accommodation section of the at least two accommodating sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a post-processing device that is used in the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a crease forming unit that is used in the post-processing device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a movement at a time when a crease is formed, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of a movement at a time when no crease is formed;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a cutting unit that is used in the post-processing device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4A is a diagram viewed from a side surface with respect to a recording medium transport direction, and FIG. 4B is a diagram viewed from the recording medium transport direction;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a vicinity of a cutting section that is used in the post-processing device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram, viewed from above, of the vicinity of the cutting unit that is used in the post-processing device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a transport path from the cutting unit to an accommodating section that are used in the post-processing device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a locking mechanism of the accommodating section that is used in the post-processing device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an unlocked state, and FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a locked state;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a shutter driving unit that opens and closes a shutter which is used in the accommodating section according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart diagram showing an operation in the accommodating section according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 12A to 12L are diagrams showing the operation in the accommodating section according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Next, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram showing an image forming apparatus 10 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 12 and a post-processing device 14. The image forming apparatus main body 12 includes, for example, three-stage recording medium supply cassettes 16, and a supply head 18 is disposed in each of the recording medium supply cassettes 16.

When one of the recording medium supply cassettes 16 is selected, the supply head 18 is operated and a recording medium P is supplied from the selected recording medium supply cassette 16 to an image forming section 22 via a recording medium supply path 20.

Yellow, magenta, cyan, and black photoconductors 24 are disposed side by side and an intermediate image transfer belt 26 is disposed in the image forming section 22.

A charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a primary image transfer device, a cleaning device and the like (not shown) are placed around the photoconductors 24, and a toner image that is formed in each of the photoconductors 24 is transferred to the intermediate image transfer belt 26. In a case of a black-and-white setting, only the black is operable.

The toner image of the intermediate image transfer belt 26 is transferred by a secondary image transfer roller 28 onto a recording medium P that is sent, and is fixed by a fixing device 30. The recording medium P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged by a discharge roller 34 through a recording medium discharge path 32.

In a case where duplex printing is set, the recording medium P whose surface is fixed by the fixing device 30 is sent from the recording medium discharge path 32 to a reversing device 36, is reversed by the reversing device 36, is sent to a recording medium reversing path 38, is returned back to the recording medium supply path 20, and is sent to the image forming section 22 so that back-surface printing is performed.

Next, the post-processing device 14 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the post-processing device 14 includes a post-processing device main body 15, a transport path 40 as a transport unit that transports the recording medium, a correction unit 43 that corrects an inclination (registration and skew) of the recording medium P that is transported from the recording medium transport direction upstream side, a detection unit 51 such as a line sensor that detects the recording medium P that is corrected by the correction unit 43, a crease forming unit 42 that puts a crease onto the recording medium P which is transported, cutting units 44 and 44 that cut the transported recording medium P in a transport direction thereof, and an accommodating section 45 a and an accommodating section 45 b that are disposed below the cutting units 44 and 44 and accommodate an unnecessary portion CP of the recording medium P which is cut by the cutting units 44 and 44. Cutting sections 46 and 46 are disposed above inlet ports 49 a and 49 b of the accommodating section 45 a and the accommodating section 45 b to further finely cut the unnecessary portion CP of the recording medium which is cut by the cutting units 44 and 44. Switching units 53 and 53 are disposed on the recording medium transport direction downstream side from the cutting sections 46 and 46 to distribute the unnecessary portion CP which is cut by the cutting sections 46 and 46 into the accommodating section 45 a or the accommodating section 45 b. The switching units 53 and 53 are respectively disposed on branch paths 41 d and 41 e that will be described later.

The transport path 40 has an S shape, and includes a first transport path 40 a that is bent in one direction and a second transport path 40 b that continues from the first transport path 40 a and is bent in the other direction.

The crease forming unit 42 as a first processing unit that performs processing on the transported recording medium P is disposed on the first transport path 40 a.

The first transport path 40 a branches into a branch path 41 a on the recording medium transport direction upstream side from the correction unit 43. The branch path 41 a is a transport path through which the recording medium P is taken out to a discharge port 55 (out of the post-processing device 14) without passing through the processing unit. In a case where no processing is performed on the recording medium P, the recording medium P is transported and discharged out of the discharge port 55.

The cutting units 44 and 44 as second processing units that perform processing on the transported recording medium P are disposed on the second transport path 40 b. Two cutting units 44 are disposed in a width direction of the second transport path 40 b.

The second transport path 40 b branches into a branch path 41 b, a branch path 41 c, a branch path 41 d, and a branch path 41 e on the recording medium transport direction downstream side from the cutting units 44 and 44.

The branch path 41 b is a transport path on which the processed recording medium P is held, and has a buffer function to transport the recording medium P to the discharge port 55 simultaneously with or successively to the recording medium transported from the branch path 41 c. The branch path 41 c is a transport path through which the processed recording medium P is transported toward the discharge port 55. The branch path 41 d and the branch path 41 e are transport paths that branch from both ends of the branch path 41 c, are disposed in parallel with each other, and transport the unnecessary portion CP of the recording medium cut by the cutting units 44 and 44 toward the accommodating section 45 a or the accommodating section 45 b via the switching units 53 and 53.

Herein, the length of the transport path from the crease forming unit 42 to the cutting unit 44 is at least equal to the length of the recording medium P that is transported. Also, the length of the transport path 40 from an inlet 39 of the transport path 40 to the correction unit 43 is at least equal to the length of the recording medium P that is transported.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the crease forming unit 42 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3A shows an example of a movement in a case where the crease is formed in the recording medium P, and FIG. 3B shows an example of a movement in a case where no crease is formed in the recording medium P.

The crease forming unit 42 includes an upper block 50 a that is disposed above and a lower block 50 b that is disposed below with the first transport path 40 a being interposed therebetween.

A recessed portion 52 a is formed in one surface of the upper block 50 a and a convex portion 54 a is formed on a surface on the other side of the recessed portion 52 a.

A recessed portion 52 b is formed in one surface of the lower block 50 b and a convex portion 54 b is formed on a surface on the other side of the recessed portion 52 b.

The recessed portion 52 a of the upper block 50 a and the convex portion 54 b of the lower block 50 b are fitted into each other, and the convex portion 54 a of the upper block 50 a and the recessed portion 52 b of the lower block 50 b are fitted into each other.

Shaft portions 54 are respectively disposed substantially at centers of the upper block 50 a and the lower block 50 b, each of which is held to be rotatable about the shaft portion 54.

Also, the lower block 50 b is movable in a substantially vertical direction (up-down direction) with respect to the first transport path 40 a by a not-shown mechanism.

In other words, in a case where the crease is formed in the transported recording medium P, the convex portion 54 a of the upper block 50 a and the recessed portion 52 b of the lower block 50 b rotate to positions opposing the first transport path 40 a as shown in FIG. 3A, and the lower block 50 b is moved upward substantially vertically to the first transport path 40 a. Also, the recessed portion 52 a of the upper block 50 a and the convex portion 54 b of the lower block 50 b rotate to positions opposing the first transport path 40 a, and the lower block 50 b is moved upward in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the first transport path 40 a. In this manner, a crease in an opposite direction from the above-described crease is formed.

In other words, each of the upper block 50 a that has at least two shapes and the lower block 50 b that has at least two shapes is rotatable, and thus a direction of the crease formed in the recording medium P may be changed.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the cutting unit 44 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4A is a diagram viewed from a side surface with respect to a recording medium transport direction, and FIG. 4B is a diagram viewed from the recording medium transport direction.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the cutting unit 44 includes a pressing unit 47 that is disposed above and a rotary cutter 48 that is disposed below with the second transport path 40 b being interposed therebetween. Also, as shown in FIG. 4B, two cutting units 44 are disposed in a width direction of the second transport path 40 b.

The rotary cutter 48 is placed at a part of the recording medium P that is cut, rotates in a clockwise direction, and cuts the recording medium P while transporting the recording medium P.

The pressing unit 47 is placed at a position opposing the rotary cutter 48, and rotates in a counterclockwise direction to press the recording medium P that is cut.

In other words, the rotary cutters 48 and 48 that are disposed at positions opposing the second transport path 40 b are rotated in a reverse direction to the pressing units 47 and 47 while the rotating pressing units 47 and 47 press both ends of the recording medium P that is transported so that the recording medium P is cut in the transport direction while being transported and both of the ends (top and bottom parts) of the recording medium P are cut.

Also, the cutting units 44 and 44 are moved leftward and rightward according to a cutting width with a cutting position being positioned through detection by the detection unit 51.

FIG. 5 shows a vicinity of the cutting section 46 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The cutting section 46 is disposed on each of the branch path 41 d and the branch path 41 e.

Herein, the cutting sections 46 that are disposed on the branch path 41 d and the branch path 41 e have the same configuration, and thus only the branch path 41 d will be described.

The cutting section 46 includes a fixed blade 56 and a rotary blade 58.

The fixed blade 56 is disposed to be fixed to the branch path 41 d. The rotary blade 58 is disposed at a position opposing the fixed blade 56 across the branch path 41 d. When the rotary blade 58 is rotated, the unnecessary portion CP of the recording medium that passes between the fixed blade 56 and the rotary blade 58 is finely cut.

Herein, the unnecessary portion CP is transported to the branch path 41 d, and the recording medium P from which the unnecessary portion is cut is transported to the branch path 41 c and is transported toward the discharge port 55. In this case, if cutting of the unnecessary portion CP is performed by the cutting section 46 during the transport of the recording medium P from which the unnecessary portion CP is cut, the unnecessary portion CP is momentarily stopped in the cutting section 46. This may result in a loop (bending) and jamming (jam) of the unnecessary portion CP. In this exemplary embodiment, movable members 60 and 60 as loop absorption units (bending absorption units) that absorb the loop are respectively disposed at branch parts of the branch path 41 d and the branch path 41 e where the loop is generated.

The movable member 60 includes a movable section 62 as a chute, a fulcrum 64 that is disposed in a recording medium transport direction downstream side end portion of the movable section 62, and an urging member 66 such as a spring that is disposed in a recording medium transport direction upstream side end portion of the movable section 62. The movable section 62 is formed of a soft material such as silicon. In other words, the recording medium transport direction upstream side of the movable member 60 is open to the second transport path 40 b and, in a case where the loop is generated, the recording medium transport direction upstream side of the movable member 60 is opened by a loop force with the fulcrum 64 being a fulcrum to absorb the loop. In this manner, the jamming (jam) of the recording medium that passes through the cutting sections 46 is prevented.

FIG. 6 is a diagram, viewed from above, of the vicinity of the cutting units 44 and 44, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the transport path from the cutting unit 44 to the accommodating sections 45 a and 45 b.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the unnecessary portion CP of the recording medium that is cut by the cutting units 44 and 44 is guided to the movable members 60 and 60, is respectively transported to the branch path 41 d and the branch path 41 e, respectively pass through the cutting sections 46 and 46, is further finely cut, and is discharged to the accommodating section 45 a or the accommodating section 45 b by a switching operation by the switching units 53 and 53. The recording medium P from which the unnecessary portion is cut is transported to the branch path 41 c and is discharged to the discharge port 55.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a locking mechanism as a fixing mechanism that fixes unloading of an accommodating container 70 of the accommodating sections 45 a and 45 b according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an unlocked state, and FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a locked state.

Herein, the accommodating sections 45 a and 45 b have the same configuration, and will be described hereinafter as an accommodating section 45.

The accommodating section 45 includes the accommodating container 70 that accommodates the recording medium P (unnecessary portion CP) which is cut to become unnecessary, a handle 72 as an unloading unit that is disposed substantially at a center of an upper portion of the accommodating container 70 in such a manner that the accommodating container 70 may be gripped with a hand and be unloaded from the post-processing device main body 15, and a shutter 74 as a shielding unit that can shield the handle 72.

The shutter 74 is disposed in the post-processing device main body 15 via a spindle 76. The shutter 74 is capable of shielding or opening (capable of opening and closing) the handle 72 which is disposed in the accommodating container 70 by rotating about the spindle 76 as a fulcrum.

Incidentally, the fixing mechanism and the shielding unit constitute a restricting member.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the shutter 74 of the accommodating section 45 not in discharge is open and the handle 72 is open. In other words, the accommodating container 70 of the accommodating section 45 not in discharge is in a state of being unloadable from the post-processing device main body 15 (unlocked state). Also, even in a case where a power supply is cut in discharge, the shutter 74 may be manually moved to a position where the handle 72 is open and the accommodating container 70 may be unloaded from the post-processing device main body 15 (unlocked state).

Also, as shown in FIG. 8B, the shutter 74 of the accommodating section 45 in discharge is closed and the handle 72 is shielded. In other words, the handle 72 is in a non-operable state, is locked, and is in a state of being not unloadable from the post-processing device main body 15 (locked state).

A shutter detection unit 78 as a shield detection unit that detects a shielding operation (opening and closing operation) of the shutter 74 is disposed in the accommodating section 45.

The shutter detection unit 78 is, for example, a light sensor, and includes a light receiving unit and a light emitting unit. The opening and closing of the shutter 74 is detected as light emitted by the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit.

The shutter detection unit 78 includes a shutter detection unit 78 a that detects when the shutter 74 is open and the handle 72 is in an open state as shown in FIG. 8A, and a shutter detection unit 78 b that detects when the shutter 74 is closed and the handle 72 is in a shielded state as shown in FIG. 8B.

In a case where the shutter 74 is detected by the shutter detection unit 78 to be in a state where the handle 72 is open in the accommodating section 45 in discharge, a discharge destination of the unnecessary portion CP is switched into the other accommodating section 45. In other words, a misoperation is prevented, and the operation is continued without stopping the device even in a case of misoperation.

Also, a full detection unit 80 that detects whether or not the unnecessary portion CP is fully accommodated in the accommodating container 70 is disposed in the accommodating section 45. The discharge destination of the unnecessary portion CP is switched into the other accommodating section 45 in a case where the accommodating container 70 of one of the accommodating sections 45 is detected to be full by the full detection unit 80. In other words, the operation is continued without stopping the device. Also, damage to the device caused by an operation continuing in a state where the accommodating container 70 is full is prevented.

Also, an accommodation detection unit 82 that detects whether the accommodating container 70 is in a state of being unloaded from the post-processing device main body 15 or is in a state of being mounted thereon is disposed in the post-processing device main body 15.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a shutter driving unit 86 as a shield driving unit which opens and closes the shutter 74.

As shown in FIG. 9, the shutter driving unit 86 is disposed via a torque limiter 84 in the spindle 76 which opens and closes the shutter 74. In other words, the shutter 74 is opened and closed when the shutter driving unit 86 is rotated so that the handle 72 is shielded or opened. Also, because of an operation of the torque limiter 84, the shutter 74 idles when more than a certain level of load is applied to the spindle 76 during the operation of the shutter 74. In other words, the hand is prevented from being stuck in the shutter 74 and safety is ensured.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

A control unit 88 includes a CPU 90, a memory 92, an operation unit 94, and an input-output unit 96 that are connected with an internal bus 98. The image forming section 22, the secondary image transfer roller 28, the fixing device 30, a transport system, the post-processing device 14 and the like are connected to the input-output unit 96. A motor that rotates the photoconductors 24 as the image forming section 22, a motor that rotates a support roller which supports the intermediate image transfer belt 26 and the like are controlled. Also, each of transport rollers as the transport system that transports the recording medium is controlled by a driving unit such as a motor.

The crease forming unit 42, the cutting unit 44, the cutting section 46, the accommodating section 45 and the like are connected to the post-processing device 14, and the switching unit 53, the shutter driving unit 86, the shutter detection unit 78, the full detection unit 80, the accommodation detection unit 82 and the like are connected to the accommodating section 45. A motor that rotates the upper block 50 a and the lower block 50 b as the crease forming unit 42, a motor that moves the lower block 50 b in a substantially vertical direction (up-down direction) and the like are controlled. Also, a motor that rotates the rotary cutter 48 as the cutting unit 44, a motor that rotates the pressing unit 47 and the like are controlled. Also, a motor that rotates the rotary blade 58 as the cutting section 46 and the like are controlled. Also, a motor that drives the switching of the switching unit 53 as the accommodating section 45, a motor that drives the shutter driving unit 86, detection by each of detection units and the like are controlled.

In other words, the control unit 88 includes components as a computer, and a supply unit that supplies the recording medium is selected by an input of the operation unit 94. The CPU 90 acquires setting parameters and the like such as a shape of the crease of the crease forming unit 42 in the selected post-processing device stored in the memory 92, a cutting position of the cutting unit 44, a rotational speed of the cutting section 46, and the discharge destination of the accommodating section 45, and executes a program based on the acquired parameters to control a post-processing operation of the post-processing device 14.

Next, an accommodation process in the accommodating section 45 of the post-processing device 14 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Each processing is controlled by the control unit 88.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart diagram showing an operation in the accommodating section 45, and FIGS. 12A to 12L are diagrams showing the operation in the accommodating section 45 in detail.

First, in step S10, a job is accepted from a standby state through the operation of the operation unit 94.

Next, in step S12, the shutter 74 is closed and is fixed at a position where the handle 72 is shielded (the accommodating section 45 a and the accommodating section 45 b are locked) (FIG. 12B) when it is detected by the accommodation detection unit 82 that the accommodating container 70 of the accommodating section 45 a and the accommodating container 70 of the accommodating section 45 b are present in the post-processing device main body 15 (detection of the accommodating sections 45 a and 45 b ON) (FIG. 12A).

Next, in step S14, it is determined by the full detection unit 80 whether or not the unnecessary portion CP accommodated in each of the accommodating containers 70 of the accommodating sections 45 a and 45 b is full. When it is determined that the accommodating containers 70 of both of the accommodating sections 45 a and 45 b are full (full detection of the accommodating sections 45 a and 45 b ON), discharge becomes unavailable and the device is stopped (step S16, FIG. 12L) with the full detection of the accommodating sections 45 a and 45 b notified.

Next, in step S18, the discharge destination is switched to the accommodating section where the full detection is OFF when it is determined that the accommodating container 70 is not full (full detection OFF) in step S14. In this description, the switch is made to the accommodating section 45 a first.

Next, in step S20, the shutter 74 of the accommodating section 45 a that is designated as the discharge destination remains closed and is fixed at the position where the handle 72 is shielded (the accommodating section 45 a is locked), and the shutter 74 of the accommodating section 45 b that is not designated as the discharge destination is opened to be moved into the position where the handle 72 is open (the accommodating section 45 b is unlocked) (FIG. 12C).

In other words, the unloading is locked for the accommodating section 45 in discharge that is designated as the discharge destination, and the lock is released for the accommodating section not in discharge.

Next, in step S22, the discharge of the unnecessary portion CP of the recording medium that is cut by the cutting section 46 toward the accommodating section 45 a is initiated (FIG. 12D).

Next, in step S24, the full detection unit 80 notifies the full detection of the accommodating section 45 a (FIG. 12E) when it is detected by the full detection unit 80 that the accommodating container 70 of the accommodating section 45 a is full (full detection of the accommodating section 45 a ON).

Next, in step S26, when it is detected by the accommodation detection unit 82 that the accommodating container 70 of the accommodating section 45 b is present in the post-processing device main body 15 (detection of the accommodating section 45 b ON), it is determined by the full detection unit 80 whether or not the accommodating container 70 of the accommodating section 45 b is full. When it is determined that the accommodating container 70 of the accommodating section 45 b is full (full detection of the accommodating section 45 b ON), discharge becomes unavailable and the device is stopped (step S28, FIG. 12L) with the full detection of the accommodating sections 45 a and 45 b notified.

Next, in step S30, the shutter 74 of the accommodating section 45 b is closed and is fixed at the position where the handle 72 is shielded (the accommodating section 45 b is locked) (FIG. 12F) when it is determined that the accommodating container 70 of the accommodating section 45 b is not full (full detection of the accommodating section 45 b OFF) in step S26. The discharge destination of the unnecessary portion CP is switched to the accommodating section 45 b (step S32, FIG. 12G) by the switching unit 53, and the discharge is continued without stopping the device.

Next, in step S34, the shutter 74 of the accommodating section 45 a is opened and is moved to the position where the handle 72 is open (the accommodating section 45 a is unlocked) (FIG. 12H), and the accommodating container 70 of the accommodating section 45 a is in the unloadable state.

Next, in step S36, it is determined by the accommodation detection unit 82 whether or not the accommodating container 70 of the accommodating section 45 a is unloaded from the post-processing device main body 15. When the accommodating container 70 is unloaded, it is determined that the accommodating container 70 is unloaded (detection of the accommodating section 45 a OFF) (step S38, FIG. 12I). Then, mounting of the accommodating container 70 of the accommodating section 45 a is detected by the accommodation detection unit 82 (detection of the accommodating section 45 a ON) (step S40, FIG. 12J).

Next, in step S42, it is determined by the full detection unit 80 whether or not the accommodating container 70 of the accommodating section 45 a is full.

In step S42, the process returns to step S36 when it is detected that the accommodating container 70 of the accommodating section 45 a is full (full detection of the accommodating section 45 a ON), and the full detection of the accommodating section 45 a is released (step S44) and the process returns to step S24 when it is detected that the accommodating container 70 of the accommodating section 45 a is not full (full detection of the accommodating section 45 a OFF).

In step S36, the discharge toward the accommodating section 45 b is continued (step S46) when it is determined by the accommodation detection unit 82 that the accommodating section 45 a is not unloaded (detection of the accommodating section 45 a ON).

When the discharge toward the accommodating section 45 b is continued and it is detected by the full detection unit 80 that the accommodating section 45 b is full (full detection of the accommodating section 45 b ON) (step S48, FIG. 12K), the full detection of the accommodating sections 45 a and 45 b is notified and the device is stopped (step S50, FIG. 12L).

In this exemplary embodiment, the handle 72 is hidden by the shutter 74 while in use so that the handle 72 is unseen by an operator for easy understanding, but the accommodating section to be unloaded may be configured to be selected by the operator. In a case where a selection unit is disposed at a button or the like on a not-shown user interface (UI) screen or near the accommodating section and the accommodating section 45 a is selected with the selection unit, the discharge destination is the accommodating section 45 b and the operator disposes of what is in the selected accommodating section. This is convenient in a case, for example, where disposal of plural accommodating sections is to be performed altogether at the same time.

In this exemplary embodiment, the post-processing device 14 that includes the crease forming unit 42 and the cutting unit 44 has been described as an example, but a post-processing device that performs other processing may be used without being limited thereto.

Also, in this exemplary embodiment, the post-processing device 14 that uses the cutting section 46 has been described as an example, but a cutting device may be used without being limited thereto.

Also, in this exemplary embodiment, an example in which the two accommodating sections 45 are used has been described, but plural accommodating sections may be used without being limited thereto.

As described above, the present invention may be applied to image forming apparatuses and cutting devices, examples of which include copiers, printers, and facsimile machines.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cutting device comprising: a transport path; a cutting section that cuts an extra part of a recording medium transported on the transport path; at least two accommodating sections that accommodate the extra part; and a switching unit that switches a discharge destination of the extra part to a first accommodation section of the at least two accommodating sections and a second accommodation section of the at least two accommodating sections.
 2. The cutting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a restricting member that restricts unloading of each of the accommodating sections, wherein the restricting member restricts the unloading of the accommodating section in discharge and releases restricting of the accommodating section not in discharge.
 3. The cutting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a fixing mechanism that is included in the restricting member and that fixes unloading of each of the accommodating sections, wherein the fixing mechanism fixes the unloading of the accommodating section in discharge and releases fixing of the accommodating section not in discharge.
 4. The cutting device according to claim 3, further comprising: an unloading unit that is included in the restricting member, that is disposed in each of the accommodating sections to unload the accommodating sections and that is operated by an operator; a shielding unit capable to shield the unloading unit; and a control unit that controls the shielding unit to shield the unloading unit of the accommodating section which is a discharge destination of the extra part using the switching unit.
 5. The cutting device according to claim 3, further comprising: an unloading unit that is disposed in each of the accommodating sections; a shielding unit capable to shield the unloading unit; and a control unit that controls unloading of the accommodating section to be fixed when the shielding unit is at a position where the unloading unit is shielded and fixing of the accommodating section to be released when the shielding unit is at a position where the unloading unit is open.
 6. The cutting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a full detection unit that detects whether the first accommodating section is full, wherein when the first accommodating section is detected to be full, the switching unit switches the discharge destination to the second accommodating section.
 7. The cutting device according to claim 3, further comprising: a full detection unit that detects whether the first accommodating section is full, wherein when the first accommodating section is detected to be full, the switching unit switches the discharge destination to the second accommodating section.
 8. The cutting device according to claim 4, further comprising: a full detection unit that detects whether the first accommodating section is full, wherein when the first accommodating section is detected to be full, the switching unit switches the discharge destination to the second accommodating section.
 9. The cutting device according to claim 5, further comprising: a full detection unit that detects whether the first accommodating section is full, wherein when the first accommodating section is detected to be full, the switching unit switches the discharge destination to the second accommodating section.
 10. The cutting device according to claim 1, further comprising: an unloading unit that is disposed in each of the accommodating sections to unload the accommodating sections and that is operated by an operator, wherein when the unloading unit of the first accommodating section is open during discharge of the first accommodating section, the switching unit switches the discharge destination to the second accommodating section.
 11. The cutting device according to claim 3, further comprising: an unloading unit that is disposed in each of the accommodating sections to unload the accommodating sections and that is operated by an operator, wherein when the unloading unit of the first accommodating section is open during discharge of the first accommodating section, the switching unit switches the discharge destination to the second accommodating section.
 12. The cutting device according to claim 4, further comprising: an unloading unit that is disposed in each of the accommodating sections to unload the accommodating sections and that is operated by an operator, wherein when the unloading unit of the first accommodating section is open during discharge of the first accommodating section, the switching unit switches the discharge destination to the second accommodating section.
 13. The cutting device according to claim 5, wherein when the unloading unit of the first accommodating section is open during discharge of the first accommodating section, the switching unit switches the discharge destination to the second accommodating section.
 14. The cutting device according to claim 4, wherein a torque limiter is disposed in a shield driving unit that drives the shielding unit and idles when a level of load exceeds a predetermined threshold.
 15. The cutting device according to claim 5, wherein a torque limiter is disposed in a shield driving unit that drives the shielding unit and idles when a level of load exceed a predetermined threshold.
 16. The cutting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a selection unit that selects an accommodating section to be unloaded, wherein the switching unit switches the discharge destination of the extra part to an accommodating section which is not selected by the selection unit.
 17. The cutting device according to claim 3, further comprising: a selection unit that selects an accommodating section to be unloaded, wherein the switching unit switches the discharge destination of the extra part to an accommodating section which is not selected by the selection unit.
 18. The cutting device according to claim 4, further comprising: a selection unit that selects an accommodating section to be unloaded, wherein the switching unit switches the discharge destination of the extra part to an accommodating section which is not selected by the selection unit.
 19. The cutting device according to claim 5, further comprising: a selection unit that selects an accommodating section to be unloaded, wherein the switching unit switches the discharge destination of the extra part to an accommodating section which is not selected by the selection unit.
 20. A post-processing device comprising: a transport path; a cutting section that cuts an extra part of a recording medium transported on the transport path; at least two accommodating sections that accommodate the extra part; and a switching unit that switches a discharge destination of the extra part to a first accommodation section of the at least two accommodating sections and a second accommodation section of the at least two accommodating sections. 